Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

2. CHBISTIAN NATION. Volume 18,[ Communieaiions pertaining to raissions will beaddressed to F. M. Foster, 305 West Wth st.. NewYork.^MEMORIAL SERVICES JAN, 21, 1893,la memory of Mrs Elzina Balpb, wife of Dr.J. M, Balph, .Missionaries to Syria, by requestof L. M. Sooiety of Slippery Eock congregation,conducted by Mrs. J. E. Latimer. Servicesopened by singing Ps 34, ITth and 19bh verses.Scripture reading, Proy. 31 : 10 and 31. Prayerby Mr George Martin, Through the kindnessof Mr. John A, Dodds, Eosa Martin read aletter from Dr. Balph, dated Dec. 19, 1892,concerning the last sickness and death of Mrs.Balph. Tears fell in profusion expressive ofinterest and sympathy. (This letter was publishedin the Christian Nation.) All joinedin singing Ps. 103: I3th and 19th verses.Words of tenderness concerning the exemplarylife of the departed were spoken by Mr. A. F.such and such parties, and are answered thus;" Tes, John Doe is a thoroughly conscieni/iouseth wherein no man oan work." "Seek firstthe man; always does his work well. He is a mankingdom cf Qod, and His righteousness, and 111 otherwe cannot spare." "Well," answers thethings shall be added unto you," "Now is theaeother, "I want men who cannot be spareti.'^cepted time, now is the day of salvation," With muchlove to all. I remain yours, Elzina Balph,Such reflections, advice and warning, though nearlyfive years have elapsed since they were written,Kennedy, Mr. Thos. Toung, Mrs. S. J. Ecgers, are timely and practical, and seem to come to us with such are the better qualified to stand "beforeMiss Annie English. Eosa Martin read a more power, now that her mortality has pnt on immortality.We do not always seek flrstthe kingdomHim." Mrs. Balph had endeared herself to;" Memorial Paper," which is as follows :all: was filling a place from which it appearedoi Ohrist and his lighteousness. The cares of thisOur dear friends, we are not here to to take a last world have such a flrmhold on us. Oh, that we could she could not be spared. But just sucb arelook, or view the remains of our departed sister, Mrs, remember our mortality and accountability, that it called up higher. Friends, may we not seekElzina Balph, for we know they rest in a farofif for­maeign land, yet sacred to the memory of every follower tunities. How comforting to know that loved onesbe with joy and not with regrets for lost oppor­this heavenly promotion by fidelityin service?of the meek and lowly Jesus, awaiting the resurrectionmorn. But her life is not ended, and while many asked for a peaceful death, and her request was ian for home work is one and the same withadministered to her wants in her last days! She The motive which should inspire the Christ­thinkit is good to look around and view the towers of granted. Another evidence that hc will regard thegrcat characters, we would say, what calling in lifethat which impels to foreign work—viz: Forprayers of his people, and knows the frailty of ourmore noble or self-sacrificing, than a consecrated Ji'oreignMissionary, full of love to the God of all grace, course, she kept the faith, hencaforth there is for her keep the lamp burning until the bridegroomframe. We may truly say she haa flnishedherJesus's sake ! That is the only oil which willthat He is pleased to make known to sinners the a crown of glory that fadeth not away.comes. All else will drop us out of the processionsomewhere along the line. But "For" mystery of holiness, the gain there is in godliness," In this sad providence to a bereaved husband,and willing to leave parents, brothers, sisters, near and motherless children, parents and dear ones, we leacgnizethe hand of a loving parent who doeth all thingsJesus' sake " will enable us to hold the beginningof our confidence tirm unto the end,dear friends, all the comforts and enjoymsnts of theirnative land, and carry the glad tidings of salvation to well. '' lie tvill provide." We commend them to theour fellow beings who are in darkness, and do not graee of God, whioh is able to perfect that which concernethall who put their faith in Him.remark: " When church members are askedtoThe United Presbyterian makes this fittinginow of the Gospel of Peace! Such was tbe life ofMrs. Balph, May we not say she inherited this missionaryspirit, being of Covenanter ancestry? SheMbs. Er.DA Mageb, > Committee. should be presented. It is not for the pastor'sEosa Martin, 1become teachers or workers, the true motivewas the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Dodds.Maggie Thompson, )sake, or the superintendent's sake, that responsibilityshould be assumed, but for JeEus' sake.Early in life she renewed her baptismal vows under Our pastor, Eev. J. E. Latimer, made thethe pastoral care of Bev. John Galbraith, living a consistentlife, holding fast her profession, always quiet ing us that every Christian should live a con­To refuse to enter upon a service or acce.closing and very appropriate remarks, remind­and unassuming. Her goings in and out among us, secrated life, exhorting to greater diligence a responsibility for Jesus' sake, is to give Iwere without ostentation. Punctual in attendance and faithfulness io duty. The services closed very best evidence of unfitness for theupon the ordinances and in Sabbath School she endeavoredto apply the word to her life, walk and con­E. Latimer.This is the message of him whose feet makeby singing, and prayer by onr pastor Eev. J.versation. We sincerely regretted their departure Resolutions of the L. M. Sooiety :the mountains beautiful: "Thy God reigneth."from our midst, and looked forward to the time'when Whereas, we have been again visited by the handIt may be that we sometimes overlook this formwe wonld see her face to face, when the family would of deatb, and a loved friend, and mother taken fromreturn to visit their friends; and to show herinterest us, thereforeof the gospel. To the world the messageis,in our Missionary Society, prayermeeting and spiritualgrowth in grace, we will read an extract from her with meekness and resignation to the will of ourResolved, 1st, That in this bereavement, we bow"Be ye reconciled to God," but to Zion, totbereconciled, it is, thy God, the covenant Ood,letter dated Feb. 1st, 1888 :Heavenly Father, who doeth all things well.who has loved you and redeemed you, reign*Latakia, Stbia. 2d. That we who remain recognizg the admonition,All power is in his hands, and, therefore, noenemycan ever prevail. Such a message bringsTo the L. M. Society of Rose Point, Pa.: Dear Sisters:— I cannot meet with you in person, but I do may be called to our account; that in faithfulness to"Be ye also ready," for we know not how soon wepeace. It is the publication of salvatiop.meet with you in spirit, and now use| my pen to con-Tey to you the thoughts I would gladly speak. Howoften I think back over the past, when, at times Iwas careless about attending our meetings, some triflingthing keeping me away. Per japs I would bedoing something and not being able to finish it intime, would say, "It is no difference, I'll not go today,I'll try and attend next meeting." Then perhapsthe result would be the same. Oh, when one isdeprived of such blessed privileges, they are broughtto realize the value of them. What I want to say toeach of you is, attend every meeting that you can,when you have health, and are able to get tbere. Donot let trifles keep you away, as I have often done.Help to inake the meetings interesting by your presenceeven if you cannot take an active part in it.While you may not likely be as far away from suchprivileges as I am, yet the time may come when sickness,or some other cause may prevent your attending.Therefore, " Work while it is day, for the night com­duty we emulate her example, and be not weary inwell doing.3d, That we extend our warmest sympathy to thebereaved husband and children, and pray our Heavenlyfather may be to them a Comforter who will motethan flllthe place made vacant by her removal,Mbs, S, j. Rogehs, 1Miss Ell 4 Wylie, V Committet,Mfs. Bell Kenndt, )It was Eesolved, also. That a minute of Memorialservices, and copy of Memorial paper in full, and re.solutions be sent to Dr. J. M. Balph and family,alsoto Cheistian Nation and Herald of Mission iVewifor publication, Eespectfully,Mes, j. E. Latimbe, Pres.Mes. Eosa Mabtin. ttec'y Pro tem," In Memoriam " are sad words and sugges.tive of tears. An unseen power, however,sustains the Christian in such meetings as thatdescribed above, and the truthfulness of thewords of the Holy Ghost are never so weilunderstood, " It is better to go the house ofmourning than to go to the house of feasting,'" iAlso, how true it is of departed saints of God;"The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance;""Her children shall arise up andcall her blessed."Shrewd business men, in making inquiry foradditional help, ask cone3rning the record ofAnd does it not appear that God wants thesaints, who from our earthly view, weak faithand short-sightedness, cannot be spared? ButChrist is Lord over all to his church, andi«this there is peace and safety.—rAe Vn^Presliyterian.